Their use dates back to over 2000 years ago when they were used as a communication tool and in religious rituals.

Guests are then taught some simple but impressive rhythm beats, later joining together to create an exciting performance, including the poses and vigorous yells that accompany the drumming. Their teacher during this experience will first explain the history and importance of taiko drums, how they are made and their great significance in Japanese music. Guests can visit a taiko dojo (practice hall) to enjoy an exciting close encounter with the impressive taiko Japanese drums.

The PATA Foundation contributes to the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific through the protection of the environment, the conservation of heritage and support for education. PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers data and insights on travel to the region that includes inbound and outbound statistics, analysis and forecasts as well as in-depth reports on strategic tourism markets. The association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to over 80 government, state and city tourism bodies; nearly 50 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, and many hundreds of travel industry companies across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Best of all, you can hike up the hill for green walks and city views. The Wanchai Gap location is in a busy local neighbourhood a short walk from the MTR. Personal butlers are on hand too.

Book through the official website to get 25 percent off plus a HK$100 Starbucks credit for a quick wake-up cup of Joe. In bustling Wanchai in the heart of Hong Kong, a '21 Day Advance Purchase Privilege' for daily stays at the Eaton House Serviced Apartment. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go in the left hand side, where tourists can take a walk and taste mouthwatering desserts offered by vendors (see 5 street vendors you should not miss out in Hanoi), where Hanoians can buy fresh vegetable or fish for the dinner from the small afternoon market on the bridge.

However, it may be the most special bridge with unique historic, architectural, and cultural value. Today, Long Bien is only one of the five bridges crossing the Red river of Hanoi. Overall, Bangkok dropped to the CTI's third-cheapest city in the Asia/Pacific region, while it ranked in the middle in 2013.

Combined hotel and miscellaneous costs declined significantly in Bangkok (down 12.2 percent), where the travel industry has continued to suffer from Thailand's political unrest. Still, combined hotel rates and miscellaneous costs were down 15.7 percent there, the largest drop in the region. While corporate hotel rates in Tokyo declined significantly year over year, miscellaneous costs, which include such daily costs as taxi rides, are the highest in the region.

Tokyo and Seoul were the second- and third-most expensive cities, respectively, for corporate travel in the Asia/Pacific region. In addition, Con Dao National Park covers more than 23 square miles of land and more than 54 square miles in water with more than 2,700 types of fauna and flora, including 100 species that are extraordinarily rare, providing another unique tourist attraction. The island's peaceful old houses, hidden among trees, add to its unique heritage appeal.

The development will continue through the next 10-20 years with a goal of realizing the vision set for 2030. A number of five star hotels have already opened on the islands, and more luxury resorts and hotels are under construction. Infrastructure, including roads, electricity, water supplies, schools, healthcare, and economic centers are already being upgraded.

Historical sites will be improved and effectively exploited and eco and cultural tours will be organized. Over on Vietnam's island of Con Dao in the South China Sea a plan is being laid for an international heritage tourism center. From October 15-19, 2012, for the third year in a row, Singapore will host the mega travel and tourism festival, TravelRave (). This year's program has expanded to include Asia's most important annual travel industry forums, including: the Asia Pacific Tourism Destination Investment Conference, October 15 - 17, 2012; the Web in Travel Conference, October 15 - 17, 2012; Aviation Outlook Asia, October 17 - 19, 2012; ITB Asia travel news, October 17 - 19 2012; Asia Travel Leaders' Summit and the Singapore Experience Awards and Conversation (both by invite only); and for the first time, the World Travel Awards' Asia & Australasia Ceremony on October 18. In 2011, TravelRave welcomed more than 9,500 attendees, a 15 percent growth over the 2010 debut.